Burlington must bring in another engineering firm to take a look at Cascade Bridge.

BURLINGTON, IA(wium) -
Burlington had to close Cascade Bridge to vehicle traffic about three years ago.

The roughly 115-year-old bridge connects the downtown district to Crapo and Dankwardt Parks via South Main Street.

The city was ready to seek bids to tear down the structure and build a new modern bridge.

The price tag would be roughly $4-million including engineering.

City Manager Doug Worden says the plan is now on hold.

He says the State Historic Preservation Office did not sign off on Burlington's plan.

"They wish for us to hire another consultant to take another look at whether or not the existing bridge can be rebuilt or repaired," says Worden, "so that is going to delay our process while we go through that."

State approval is needed because Burlington received a $1-million grant to replace Cascade Bridge.

The city has been working with Klingner & Associates.

Worden does not know how much the additional engineering work will cost or how long it will take to complete.

He says the State Historic Preservation Office will not provide money for the additional report, so it will be up to the city to cover the cost.